Carmel High School German teacher Angelika Becker was recently named the American Association of Teachers of German 2017 Outstanding German Educator. The organization is a national resource for German teachers to share ideas and collaborate.
“For German teachers, most of the time we are the only German teacher at our school,” Becker said. “You really need colleagues to support each other, and the AAPG is really our venue to network.”
Becker has taught at CHS for 10 years. She became a teacher after moving to the U.S. from Germany.
“I had a professor in college who said I should teach math. Then I realized if I were to teach math I would have to re-learn everything, because Europeans teach math differently,” Becker said. “I thought I already know German, and it was a logical choice.”
To receive the award, a teacher must be nominated by another educator.
“One of the most touching things was when I saw the letters my colleagues wrote for me,” Becker said. “It was just heartwarming to see how I influenced other teachers who then in turn influence students.”
One way she influences students is by sharing what works in her classroom. She also travels with students participating in the exchange program in the summer.
“When you branch out a little bit, you don’t just educate students, but you also share your materials and things you create with your colleagues. You reach even more students,” Becker said. “When I share it with 25 colleagues, then I have now reached countless students that will benefit from what I have created.”
Becker will receive the award at the national conference. For more, visit aatg.org.
